In a battle of two schools that like to deploy their running games, Coach Tyson Helton and the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (-10) are gearing up to play host to their in-conference rival Charlotte 49ers at Houchens-Smith Stadium. This daytime game is scheduled to kick off at 4:00 p.m. ET and fans can catch the action by tuning in to ESPN+.
Betting Preview: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs. Charlotte 49ers
In this Saturday Conference USA game, Western Kentucky is projected as the big favorite and is currently giving up 10 points. In order to take the home favorite, moneyline bettors would currently have to put down $400 to win $100 back on the Hilltoppers (-400). The 49ers are getting +300 moneyline odds. It appears that there will likely be some good live betting possibilities for this contest, and Vegas has determined the over/under (O/U) to be 48.5 points.
The under has been getting the bulk of the recent sharp action. This game’s total initially opened at 50.5.
The 49ers are 2-4 against the spread (ATS) and have lost 2.0 units so far in 2019. The team has recorded an O/U mark of 6-0.
The Hilltoppers have gained 1.9 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 4-2 ATS and own an O/U record of 2-4.
The 49ers are only 2-4 straight up (SU), including 0-2 SU against conference opponents. The Hilltoppers are 4-2 SU overall and 3-0 SU in conference play.
Western Kentucky enters this one on a three-game losing streak while Charlotte has won its last three in a row. The 49ers are most-recently reeling from a 48-23 defeat to FIU last week. The Niners defense allowed the Panthers to eat up the clock by running for 350 yards on 53 rush attempts, including five rush TDs. On the offensive side, Chris Reynolds completed six-of-10 passes for only 114 yards and one touchdown. Benny LeMay (144 rushing yards on 21 attempts, one TD) led the running attack. LeMay (four receptions, 90 yards, one TD) and Aaron McAllister (two catches, 10 yards) shared the receiving duties in the defeat.
Western Kentucky is coming off of a 17-8 win over Army West Point. Ty Storey completed 21-of-30 passes for 140 yards. Gaej Walker (132 rushing yards on 25 attempts) and the signal-caller Storey (62 yards on 17 carries, two TDs) mounted the running attack as Lucky Jackson (five receptions, 45 yards) and Jacquez Sloan (five catches, 39 yards) led the pass-catching attack in the win.
Charlotte has run the ball on 61.6 percent of its offensive plays this year, including 57.1 percent across possessions in conference play. Western Kentucky has an overall run percentage of 51 percent, and has rushed the ball 54 percent of the time against CUSA opponents. The 49ers have produced 218.7 rush yards/game (including 134.5 per game against Conference USA opponents) and have 13 scores on the ground this year. The Hilltoppers are totaling 118.3 rush yards per game (86 in conference) and have seven total rushing TDs.
The Niners offensive scheme has logged 189.5 yards/contest through the air overall (198.5 per game versus conference opposition) and has 13 passing TDs so far. The Hilltoppers have recorded 218.7 pass yards per game (208 in the CUSA) and have eight total pass scores.
Charlotte has allowed opponents to run for an average of 231.8 yards and pass for 180.2 yards per game. The Western Kentucky defense has allowed 172.7 yards per game to opposing passers and 114.3 yards per game on the ground. The Hilltoppers are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 5.95 to opponents, while the 49ers have given up a 6.90 ANY/A.
Offensively, Reynolds is up to 744 passing yards this year. The signal-caller has connected on 63 percent of his 89 attempts with eight scores through the air and three interceptions. Reynolds has a 7.87 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 7.10 over the last two outings.
Ty Storey has managed to complete 36-of-54 passes for 329 yards, two TDs and zero INTs for Western Kentucky. His ANY/A stands at 6.00 for the year and 4.70 over his past two outings.
When these two squads faced one another last year, Charlotte knocked off Western Kentucky soundly 40-14.
Charlotte 49ers vs. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers NCAA Prediction
SU Winner: Western Kentucky, ATS Winner: Western Kentucky, O/U: Over
Team Betting Notes
- The Over/Under for Charlotte’s previous game going into it was 58. The over cashed in the team’s 48-23 loss to FIU.
- Charlotte has rushed for 3.9 yards per attempt over its last three games and 4.0 over its last two.
- Western Kentucky has averaged 3.3 yards per carry over its last three outings and 4.0 over its last two.
- The Western Kentucky offense has lost four fumbles this season while Charlotte has lost two.
- In its last three contests, Charlotte is 0-3 ATS and the over cashed in each of those three.
- Charlotte has lost five of its last six games SU, with a 35-point win over Massachusetts on September 14th representing the only victory over that stretch.
- The O/U for Western Kentucky’s last outing was set at 44. The under cashed in the 17-8 victory over Army West Point.
- Over its last three matches, Western Kentucky is 3-0 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
- The 49ers offense has recorded three pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Hilltoppers have accounted for four such plays.
- The Charlotte defense has allowed five pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Western Kentucky has given up four such plays.
- The Charlotte offense has created 12 rushing plays of 20+ yards, while Western Kentucky has created two such run.
- The 49ers defense has allowed 12 rushing plays of 20+ yards, while the Hilltoppers have given up one such run.
- The Charlotte defense has sacked opposing QBs 19 times this year. Western Kentucky has produced just 13 sacks.
